The government has decided to completely transform the country’s border security arrangements, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday (May 29, 2026).
In the days to come, a quadrangular security grid will be established, under which the public, the civil administration, the local police, and the military will work alongside the Border Security Force (BSF) to strengthen the borders, the Minister said at the inauguration of two border outposts at Bhuj in Gujarat.
A new concept of ‘territorial security’ will replace the traditional approach of mere border security, he said.
Under the Smart Border Security Project, efforts are under way to fortify the security grids along the borders. This endeavour involves an investment running into thousands of crores of rupees, he said. and expressed confidence that the deployment of drones, radars, watchtowers, state-of-the-art technology, and security personnel will result in the creation of a robust security grid. Once it is established, no one will dare breach the borders, he said.
He said the government is planning to assign additional areas of responsibility to the BSF. He noted that the most significant gap in the security grid lay in the incomplete fencing along the West Bengal boundary. Once the fencing is completed, the government will succeed in curbing infiltration, he said. Work on installing technological fencing is being expedited in forested regions and along riverine channels to prevent infiltration through these routes. In the days to come, the entire border will be secured.
After inaugurating the border outposts at Bhuj, Mr. Shah interacted with BSF personnel. Praising them, Mr. Shah said they live in harsh climatic and difficult geographical conditions, enduring temperatures ranging from -45 degrees to +45 degrees. They perform their duties in the rugged desert of Kutch, the marshlands of Sir Creek and Harami Nala, as well as amid the sand dunes of Rajasthan.
The Minister said a centre had been established in Banaskantha, to allow the public gain insight into the arduous duties performed by the BSF personnel. Over the past month alone, more than 2.5 lakh people had visited this centre to learn and understand the nature of BSF duties. When a survey was conducted to collect public feedback on the BSF’s work, many women wrote that they would feel immense pride if their sons and daughters were to join the BSF, he said.
He said that upon assuming office as the Union Home Minister, a review of the BSF revealed that the Harami Nala and Sir Creek region lagged somewhat behind in terms of security preparedness. The Minister noted that a comprehensive action plan was formulated to establish a ‘“leak-proof’ security grid in every respect — initiating work on watchtowers, connecting roads, drinking water supply, medical facilities, accommodation arrangements, and new fencing. He added that within the next two years, the region will be permanently secured against the “malicious gaze of the enemy”.
He said the entire border outpost had been elevated above ground level and several watchtowers constructed.
Published - May 29, 2026 06:36 pm IST
Source: The Hindu - India News
